I received some fantastic Christmas gifts this year, including beautiful gemstones from my lovely daughter, Wendy, a sweater from my sister, Sally, aka Thankful Rose on Etsy.

There were other wonderful presents, too–bubble bath, a new bathrobe, special spices, a crock pot that connects to another crock pot, for those 2014 dinner parties I fully intend to hold. (I’ve already chosen one of the recipes–Smoked Oyster Spread. Yum.)

But the most interesting and unusual gifts, I must admit, were three paintings–done by my grand-dog, Margie, one of the smartest Golden Retrievers ever. I definitely plan to hang them, too. I like to fantasize, in fact, about some museum curator, far in the future, trying to puzzle out what artist had produced these marvelous works of art. Maybe they’ll even be in the Louvre–who knows?

Since Christmas, I’ve been working industriously on my new book, THE MARRIAGE PACT, set in the fictional town of Mustang Creek, Wyoming.

The final BIG SKY book, BIG SKY SECRETS will be available tomorrow, online and everywhere books are sold.

A new contest began today, too–all you need to do is comment. Winners will be chosen at random, as always. One winner will receive a copy of Danielle Laporte’s THE DESIRE MAPPING EXPERIENCE, along with a signed copy of my new book. A second winner will receive a copy of BIG SKY SECRETS, and a special surprise I brought home from the NFR in Las Vegas.

On other subjects, I’ve finally finished reading THE VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT, by Amy Tan. I’ve since moved on to the audio production of ALMOST A MIRACLE, by John Ferling. I really love books about history, and still hope to write about the American Civil War at some point in the future.

I continue to cook often with spaghetti squash–amazing stuff. This week’s recipe was spiced up with powdered spaghetti sauce seasonings. My next attempt will be tuna casserole. I am nothing if not adventurous.

That’s so sweet, gift from grandgogs:-) . Tomorrow is my mom’s 86th Birthday, so we’ll be spending it with her, but I’ll have to leave early to go to work@ Midnight. Have a good evening Linda, until next time.

Love your books Linda. I am so intrigued by the gens tones you talk about. My daughter has a lot of knowledge of stones and their meanings and I hope to learn mor myself. Have a healthy Happy New Year!

Any exciting party plans for NYE, Linda? I will be @ home to protect my old lady lab from the firecracker noise, although it is better for her now that her hearing is not as good. Be safe if you are going out
Blessings now & for the new year to come,
SherryNan

Linda I must tell you, I just love all of your books. But I would love to send you a special THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, because your books are what have gotten through a very difficult time in my life. I was in a auto accident in 05 an my right leg was amptated in 08…all through my recovery I have read MANY of your books, by series. WONDERFUL I must say.
Again THANK YOU!
Happy New Year!

I’d love to see the paintings that your talented grand-dog did and, like all the rest, I cannot wait for Big Sky Secrets to come out. A friend ‘accidentally’ discovered your books and was telling me how she had picked up a book because it had a hot cowboy on the front, anyway I got her to bring it into work and it was Big Sky Wedding! I told her I’d lend her the others while I read that one as she had to read them in order. Now we’re keenly awaiting Big Sky Secrets to complete our obsession here in Australia. I’m just about to lend her State Secrets as well, which I loved over Christmas.
Don’t stop writing- we love your work! (sorry this post is longer than I expected).

Dog paintings. Like d “Hollywood walk of fame.” Only for pets or animals , make them famous. There is ART out there that already looks like its done by wild animals. Surely couldn’t b worse, maybe. Lol. Will pick up Big Sky Secrets tomorrow.

2013 has been a year of highs and lows for me and my family. We have experienced a lot of death in our family this year but in God’s infinite wisdom it has brought us all closer and grateful for everything and every cherished moment. There is so much that I feel blessed in having in 2013 like my children, husband, health, family, friends, my career, my God and tomorrow night looking forward to a new 2014! Chief among tomorrow’s excitement is using my Christmas gift from 15 year old daughter which is an iTunes gift card to buy Big Sky Secrets! She said “Mommy, I know that you said a new Linda Lael Miller book is coming out and this is what the gift card is for.” Talk about knowing your mama! LOL.

I hope 2014 is a healthy, happy and blessed year for
you, your family and all of the blog family!

Linda, I was running errands most of the day, trying to get my car fixed. I went to Walmart to price tires, and I saw, (speaking of crock pots), an end cap that was loaded with crock pots. There were about 3 differnt kinds and one of them was a 3 in 1. It didn’t look like each one would hold as much as a regular one, but…it was the neatest thing.

I never did see an individual price, but just one price of less than 30 dollars at the top of the end cap. I won’t be buying one, but if I were, I’d buy one like that. I’m using the crock pot Mama bought for me in August or September of 1975. The only thing “wrong” with it is…you can’t take the inside out to wash it. You have to place it on it’s side and wash it very carefully. My belief is…”if it works, use it till it don’t work no more”. But, I’d never heard of one like one I saw, nor have I heard of one like you received. Let us know how it works, please.

My son and I stopped to get a late lunch, as neither of us had eaten today, (not a good thing), and low and behold, my food was half price because it was Monday, after 4 PM, and I was old enough, plus some, to rate the discount. I wore my half off shoes and half off socks to eat my half off food. I LIKE those half off sales.

Happy New Year. I got a crock pot like that to.Used it yesterday and it worked great. Got a blander to. I just don’t need alot. Its just nice to watch the great grandkides open there gifts. I will be getting the new book this week.

got a good tuna , 1 can cream of chick 1 can chick noodle, 1 can of cream of celery, 1 can of tuna in water ,3 cans of milk, and chow mein noodles about 2 cups, stir all together bake at 350 for about 20 min until bubbling. and thanks for all the books you have written they are great, I love civil wars love stories .

I’m glad to hear about your gift exchange and particularly about your talented grand dog. I am also excited about the opportunity to win a copy of your new book and D. Laporte’s book. How is the weather in your neck of the world, it’s darn cold in Houston Tx!

So cool to have paintings by a dog. Happy New Year Linda! Look forward to you writing about the civil war. Have you listened to the audiobook An Eye for Glory? I really enjoyed it. It is a fictional account of events which occurred where I was born and raised.

Happy New Year! I love making spaghetti squash and even have my kids eating it now and I had chicken or turkey tenders cut into small pieces! love to win your book, I gave a few of your books to a friend for Christmas and now she’s a fan!

Just received notice that my copy of “Big Sky Secrets” will arrive in the mail on Thursday. I can’t wait to read it.
My family was blessed this year for Christmas. All my family is in good health. My father is recovering from hip surgery and is doing great with his new walker that Santa brought him. A few of us have the sniffles but nothing real infectious.
All six of my children, spouses, significant others and grandchildren were here to celebrate this blessed day with my husband, my parents, my sister’s family and myself. We had mass confusion while opening gifts even though we were to go one at a time in order to see what the gift was and from whom it came. It was truly a delightful day for everyone.
Can’t wait to see what the new year will bring for my family. I trust God will be with each and every one of us as we begin this new year.

Happy New Year everyone!! I love that your dog paints. I would try it with my dogs but they aren’t the most ambitious of pups. LOL
Good luck with the tuna. I’ll try the powdered spaghetti sauce seasoning with the spaghetti squash. Sounds yummy.

I love when my granddog comes to visit. As aatter of fact we have been babysitting him since Christmas. My daughter has a houseful of guests and poor Remi hasn’t been feeling good so I took him home until the guest leave on New Year’s Day.

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year. I love your books and have read almost everyone you have written. My friend and I collect them. I also love my crockpot and love how handy they are for cooking while you are away from home. I also love the Civil War History and would love to read a book you would write. I love the way you make your characters so real. Love reading your blogs. Everyone stay safe and healthy this new year 2014.

I am soo ready for Big Sky Secrets. I pre-ordered it long ago and although it will be on the shelves tomorrow in most bookstores, I will still have to wait a week to get mine. That is the downside of not having a book store close by. We do have a Wal-Mart, but can’t depend on them to have the books I want. So anxiously waiting! Please have a safe and happy New Year.

A happy new year Linda. Once again thank you for your wonderful book.Just read Big Sky Secrets.Iam really going to miss all the characters who I feel I know. Please in the future can you do followups on all the McKettricks, Creeds etc. just to let us know what the future brings these wonderful people.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, adventurous New Year with much continued writing and always looking ahead!
Thank you for your stories and characters to inspire and create thoughtfulness and introspection. Your books are also a lovely escape from our own realities, which is also needed from time to time.
Best Wishes and Happy 2014!!

I woke at 1:00 am & came into see if my book was here… LOL It was! Thank goodness, in the am, can begin reading on it, had just finished the one was reading… I have begun to reread The Outlander series, after all, has been a while since read those & a new one is coming out later.

Will have to pick up a spaghetti squash today when go to Publix. Has been a while since used one. My kick these days has been Quinoa, it is a good side dish & WW has a few great recipes.

I was very happy to see Big Sky Secrets on my Kindle when I got up this morning. My husband and I play Mr and Mrs Claus and have been very busy every weekend in December so I am ready for a Jeri day today and do nothing but read. Take care and Happy New Year!

I LOVE your books and have read and kept them all. Am excited about your new series, and have already reserved my copy of “Big Sky Secret”. Your books always give me a warm feeling, and I love the cowboys and their ladies. I get so engrossed in your books, they make me feel like I’m right there with them. Thanks, Hugs, and Happy New Year

Looking forward to getting the new Big Sky book. Always, Always!! enjoy your writing. With the stories you tell, and within each series, I always feel that I am there, and a part of the cast of characters, they become my friends and I look forward to seeing what their lives will be.

What is “pinging?” I am waiting for Big Sky Secrets ! This has been a great series. Sorry this is last one,,, Happy New Year,Linda! You are a great writer….I am 80 yrs. old, & still reading constantly. Keep up the good work!Love your books..

Happy New Year Linda and I got my Big Sky Secrets today when I opened up my Nook app on my tablet. I just finished a book, so here I come. Can’t wait to see what happens. Am so looking for ward to the new series. God bless.

Just read A McKettrick Christmas and loved it- now I plan on starting at the beginning of the series and working my way through it. I am a fourth-generation native of AZ-transplanted to Ohio for a time- but missing AZ like crazy and I love even the mention of AZ in books I read. Thank you!